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Anyone with lymphedema have a knee replacement?
Joint Replacements | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
Hello @mercuryrose, Welcome to Connect. I also have lymphedema in both legs with my right leg affected a little more than the left leg. I had my right knee replaced two years ago and my lymphedema is still under control. I wear 20-30 mmHg compression socks that are just under the knees. I was not able to wear the right compression sock for a week or so after my right knee TKR. After I had been wearing the compression socks for awhile and struggling on a daily basis to put them on, I discovered you can buy them with side zippers and they are a lot easier to put on and take off.
I think one of the keys to a successful knee replacement is to do your pre-operation leg exercises faithfully and after the replacement continue doing the post surgery leg exercises, as well as icing and elevating your leg per your surgeons instructions. That will help keep the swelling down and make your recovery go better. You might want to join in the following discussion and learn what @artscaping and other members have shared about knee replacements -- TKR #2.....Lessons I am learning: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-2-lessons-i-am-learning/
Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor?
Replies to "Hello @mercuryrose, Welcome to Connect. I also have lymphedema in both legs with my right leg..."
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@johnbishop
HELLO, FIRST I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN SHARE MY 1ST NAME OR NOT SO MY NICK SINCE CHILDHOOD HAS BEEN JAKE. AND BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I ALWAYS EXPLAIN TO OTHERS TAT I USE ALL CAPS SIMPLY B/C IT'S EASIER FOR ME - 1 - I TYPE WITH 2 FINGERS NEVER LEARNED TYPING -2- I HAVE SEVERE NERVE DAMAGE IN MY ARMS AND HANDS DUE TO A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND -3- I JUST FINISHED MY 3RD CERVICAL SURGERY ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND AM NOW FUSED FROM C2 TO T2 WITH MANY COMPLETE VERTEBRAE(BONE), DISCS REPLACED, AND COUNTLESS PLATES, SCREWS, AND RODS. SO IN NOWAY IS MY USE OF CAPS A SIGN OF EMOTIONAL OR ANGER INTENT. I FOUND YOUR RESPONSES VERY ENCOURAGING AND HELPFUL. I TOO AM IN NEED OF DOUBLE KNEE REPLACEMENTS AND MY NEURO SURGEON REFERRED ME TO THEIR GO T ORTHO DOCTOR, BUT B/C OF MY LYMPHEDEMA HE WAS/IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DOING THE SURGERY ESPECIALLY IN MY RIGHT LEG. HE HAS SENT ME TO A VASCULAR SURGEON, RAN ALL THE TEST REQUIRE, INCREASED MY STOCKING TO THE 20/30 COMPRESSION WHICH REALLY HURT TO WEAR. BUT HE CLEARED ME FOR SURGERY. MY ORTHO STILL IN NOV. WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MY RIGHT LEG WHICH BEFORE I FORGET DID HAVE TO HAVE THE BIG TWO AMPUTATED AND ALSO B/C MY INSURANCE WOULDN'T PAY FOR A WOUND VAC CAUSED ME TO DEVELOP A BONE INFECTION THAT REQUIRED 6 OF THE STRONGEST INFUSION TREATMENTS- SUPPOSEDLY DESTROYING THE INFECTION- NEITHER MY 1ST WOUND DR. OR MY 2ND WOUND DR. HAD ME RETESTED. SO I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED ON THAT ISSUE . i GO BACK IN MID JAN. FOR A FOLLOW UP WITH MY ORTHO D. AND AM AFRAID HE MAY STILL NOT WANT TO DO THE SURGERY. ANY THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS, OR ADVICE FROM YOU OR ANYONE WITH SIMILIAR EXPERENCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. ALSO ARE THE ZIP-UP STOCKING MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THE CLOSED TOE ONE THAT I WEAR NOW? SORRY FOR SUCH A LONG POST. OH YEAH IN CLOSING FOUND OUT AT MY MONTH FOLLOW UP WITH MY NEURO SURGEON, THAT THE VERY LAST FUSION POINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY SPINE THE ROD(I BELIEVE) AT T2 HAS FRACTURED (THEY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN I SAY BROKE) LIKE I ASKED HOW CAN A TITANIUM METAL ROD JUST BREAK IN 6 MONTHS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANOTHER SURGERY B/C EVERYTHING IS "(STABLE) FOR NOW BUT MAYBE WE WILL WHEN IT GETS WORST" SO I JUST HAVE TO LOL SOMETIMES AND REMIND MYSELF IT'S A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY B/C I HAVE THE BEST MOST CARING WIFE IN THE WORLD BY MY SIDE. FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THAT MIGHT HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR ME.